Essay On Tom Robinson's Childhood

Many well known people with a neglected childhood have grown up to become influential adults. Although the belief that it’s impossible to become a strong, productive adult if one had an abusive childhood is prominent, I firmly contradict. There are numerous characters in literature and people in modern times, who have overcome their youth challenges. To be a strong grown-up doesn’t necessarily mean to be successful. Being a powerful adult can also mean having good morals, and being gracious even when struggling through life obstacles. A literary example of someone with these characteristics are Tom Robinson, a character developed by Harper Lee in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. In present day, even the 44th President of the United States,

Tom Robinson was an African American slave faced with allegations of sexual assault. Not long after, Tom Robinson was faced with death. In spite of, he still managed to be an amiable adult after enduring a vigorous childhood. To exemplify, in the story, it was explained how Tom Robinson received a limp, and a longer arm as a child. In the following quote, Reverend Sykes informs Jem about the story of his injury during the trial:

“He got caught in a cotton gin, caught it in Mr. Dolphus Raymond’s cotton gin when he was a boy… like to bled to death… tore all the muscles loose from his bones-” (186) Based on this quote, he suffered a great amount of torment. However, he was still able to give back to others, even when he was struggling. This claim is supported by the situation in the story when Atticus walks into his house to find out Tom left food on the back steps as a gift of gratitude. In the upcoming quote Atticus and Calpurnia are speaking of how it was a compassionate act, but should also never do it again due to hard times:

Calpurnia said, “This was all ‘round the back steps when I got here this morning. They-they aren’t oversteppin’ themselves, are